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Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Neisseria mucosa, Gram-negative, coccus prokaryote that is a commensal bacterium that colonizes the mucosal surfaces of many animals. It is notable among Neisseria species for its ability to metabolize sucrose. N. mucosa often grows in pairs (diploids). It can cause endocarditis in humans. Of the 11 Neisseria species, only two are pathogens: N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae. These two species often cause symptomatic infections in humans. Magnification: x2,400 when shortest axis printed at 25 millimetres.